Digital First Media File Photo
The site of the former Third and Walnut Street bar in Lansdale.

LANSDALE >> Residents near a proposed apartment building project on Third and Walnut streets had plenty to say about that project Wednesday night, and borough officials have heard their concerns.

“It looks like a massive building. I’m not sure I’d want that next door to me. But that’s putting the cart before the horse — there’s a process that needs to be followed,” said Councilman Leon Angelichio.

Roughly two dozen residents from that block turned out to council’s Code Enforcement committee meeting Wednesday, sharing their thoughts on the overlay expansion and their worries about living next to that project.

“The number of people who live on the street now — is it 20? Maybe, maybe less than that. And we’re looking an increase from 20 people to potentially 200. I can’t even wrap my head around that,” she said.

“I always welcome new neighbors, but that many people, it’s just overwhelming,” Katolik said.

Other residents voiced concerns about residents in the apartment building being able to see into their yards and homes, and asked where residents in the new building would have guests park if they host events or otherwise need overflow spaces.

“I understand your building could accommodate all of the cars for residents, but it only takes one person to have a party, and our street cannot accommodate those cars,” Katolik said.

Last month the planning commission gave its approval to expanding the overlay, and borough council could vote as soon as their May 18 action meeting to set a date for a public hearing on the overlay. Angelichio, chairman of the Code committee, and Assistant Borough Manager John Ernst explained the subsequent timeline: if council votes May 18 to set a hearing, their next action meeting will be held on June 15, but council could not take any action that night because it would be within 30 days of the vote to advertise.

Due to timing requirements, the residents would be notified on or around June 16 of the upcoming hearing, the borough planning commission would review the overlay expansion ordinance when they meet on June 20, the ordinance and hearing date would be advertised on July 6 and 13, and a hearing on expanding the overlay would be held during council’s July 20 meeting.

“On July 20, the public will have ample opportunity to speak again, add your concerns, ask questions,” Angelichio said.

“I have a lot of questions about the project myself, but I also understand some of these questions are moot unless the map changes,” he said.

If the overlay expansion is approved, Ziegler and engineer Jason Smeland said they plan to bring back fully engineered plans for review by staff and council in several more months as they make their way through the land development approval process.

“I think we convinced the planning commission the plan has merit. I just want everyone to be clear: this is just the first step of a very long process,” Smeland said.

“As we get through the process, we’ll see exactly how that’ll work out, but his plan is to do everything he can to make this a building of the future,” he said.

“We’re trying to be innovative, we’re trying to address the concerns of the citizenry. My whole mindset is to be very sensitive,” Ziegler said.

“I’m really trying to do something that’s good for the community,” he said.

Lansdale borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on May 18 at the borough municipal building, 1 Vine Street. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www.Lansdale.org or follow @LansdalePA on Twitter.